HECKMONDWIKE is to get a new community centre, thanks to lottery cash.

The 1st Heckmondwike Scout Group has been awarded £300,000 from the lottery's Community Fund to build a new hut, which will also be used as a community centre.

It will replace the old Scout hut on St Thomas's Street, which has structural problems.

The new centre will be a single-storey, multi-purpose building. It will have disabled access, a large hall, two community rooms, a kitchen, toilet and shower facilities.

It is hoped work will be complete by mid-2004.

Twenty community groups, including St John's Ambulance, dance and drama groups, aerobics, playgroup, Age Concern social group, childminders' support group and self-defence groups are interested in using the centre.

The one-year grant will supplement £22,0000 already raised by the Scouts for the project.

They still need to find £8,000.

Neil Foster, chairman of the Scout group's council, said: "This is fantastic news for the children and people of Heckmondwike.

Group Scout leader Ian Womersley said: "Heckmondwike has a lack of community facilities and access to community groups.

"The centre will overcome this problem, allowing people of all ages and backgrounds to play a part in community life."

Vas Patel, vice-chairman of the Community Fund's regional awards committee, said: "We are delighted to fund this project, which will improve the quality of life of the people in the area, allowing them to become more involved in social activities."

The 1st Heckmondwike Scouts is the sixteenth group to benefit from the lottery's Fair Share scheme.

The scheme was launched last March by the Community Fund and the New Opportunities Fund.

It identifies highly disadvantaged communities which have missed out on lottery cash and makes sure they get a cash boost to bring them in line with other areas.

Kirklees was identified as one of the disadvantaged areas and has so far received £2,885,718 in Fair Share grants.

There is still £1,335,282 to be spent in the area before March, 2005.

The Community Fund is holding a series of seminars and events in Kirklees to encourage groups to apply for funding.

For more information, or a programme of events, contact the Community Fund inquiries officer on 0113 224 5301.

Also, anyone who can help the Scouts raise their final £8,000 should phone Ian Womersley on 01274 242646.